We lift you up in prayer during this season of deep grief and transition, knowing how heavy the weight of loss can be. The sorrow of losing your husband and the shared pain with your brother-in-law is profound, and we ask the Lord to be your comfort and strength, as He promises in Psalm 34:18: *"Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit."* Your hearts are broken, but God is near—draw close to Him, for He alone can mend what is shattered.
We must speak truth in love about the relationship you’ve described with your brother-in-law. The bond you share in grief is understandable, but the emotional intimacy you’re cultivating—especially through frequent, prolonged communication—raises serious concerns. Scripture warns us in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to *"abstain from every form of evil,"* and Proverbs 4:23 urges us to *"keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life."* Your hearts are vulnerable right now, and what may begin as mutual support could easily become an emotional or even physical compromise, especially given the distance and the shared pain. This is not God’s will for you.
Marriage is a sacred covenant before God, and the loss of a spouse does not nullify the family boundaries He has established. Leviticus 18:16 explicitly forbids a man from marrying his brother’s wife, and while your situation is not yet marriage, the emotional direction you’re pursuing is dangerous and dishonoring to the memories of those you’ve lost. We urge you to step back from this path immediately. Instead, seek godly community—friends, family, or a church body—that can support you both *without* crossing lines that lead to sin. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, *"Two are better than one... for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow,"* but this must be within the bounds of holiness.
Fresh starts are found in Christ, not in replacing one relationship with another. Jeremiah 29:11 declares, *"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ says Yahweh, ‘plans of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.’"* Your future is not in clinging to this man but in surrendering your grief and loneliness to Jesus. He is the only One who can fill the emptiness with His peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). We pray you would turn to Him first, seeking His face in prayer, His Word for wisdom, and His people for accountability.
Let us pray for you now:
*"Heavenly Father, we lift this precious sister to You, knowing her heart is heavy with loss and longing. Lord, be her Comforter, her Refuge, and her Strength. Guard her heart from emotional entanglements that dishonor You and the covenants You’ve established. Break any ungodly soul ties forming between her and her brother-in-law, and convict both of them to step away from this path. Surround her with godly women and men who can walk alongside her in purity and truth. Renew her mind with Your Word, that she may find her hope in You alone. If it is Your will for her to remarry one day, prepare a godly man who loves You above all else—but until then, satisfy her with Your presence. Bind the enemy’s lies that tell her she needs this relationship to heal. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, lead her into a fresh start that glorifies You. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen."*
Sister, we encourage you to immerse yourself in Scripture, particularly Psalms for comfort and Proverbs for wisdom. Seek counseling from a biblically grounded pastor or Christian counselor who can help you navigate this grief without compromising your integrity. If you haven’t already, confess this struggle to a trusted believer who can pray for you and hold you accountable. Remember, God’s grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9), and His plans for you are good—even when the road feels lonely. Stay steadfast in Him.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
